Method of and apparatus for inserting plugs into applicators



y 1944. J. R. M LAUGHLIN 2,353,174

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR INSERTING PLUGS INTO APPLICATORS Filed July15, 1940 INVENTOR. JOHN R. MCLAUGHLIN.

Q 7 ATTORNEY Patented July 11, 1944 METHOD @F AND AWARA'JIUS FOR INSERT-ING. PLUGS INT-35s) .FiLPLICATQRS Jlolm a. McLaughlin, New Brunswick,n.1, a;- signor, by mesne assignments, to Tampan Incorporated, Newllorh, N. ill, a corporation of Delaware Application duly in, will,Serial No. 345,605

' catamenial devices within applicators-on a large ll. Claims.

This invention relates to a method of and ap paratus for insertingtampons or plugs into applicators and more particularly for assembling aself =-contained internal catamenial device and applicator therefor ofthe tampon type covered by United States Letters Patent No. 1,926,900,although it may be employed for equal advantage It contemplates moreespecially the provision of an improved method oi and apparatus forconveniently effecting the incorporation of a preformed self-sustainingtampon, plug or a catamenial device into an applicator so that these canbe combined in a continuity of production opera= tions with a minimumexpenditure of time, labor and expense.

Internal catamenial devices are usually provided with a drawing member.preferably though not essentially comprising a flexible cord such as astring which is sewed or otherwise associated.

with the cotton body of the catamenialdevice.

The withdrawing cord or string usually protrudes through the projectingextremity of the applicator production basis has been found possible asa step in continuity of production operations by effecting the passageof air currents through the applicators for the purpose of drawing thestring members therein and thereupon following with the catamenialdevice which is forced in the applicator in the same direction of thepreceding string movement without influencing the displacement of thelatter.

One object of the present invention is to provicle an improved method ofassembling self-sus-= so that it. will extend for its full length andpresent no obstruction to the removal of the applicator for theinsertion of the contents preferably though not essentially comprising acatamenial device. Because the body of the catamenial device is self-sustaining and form-retaining, it presents no particular problem inincor-- poration such as the contents of an applicator consisting of oneor more hollow tubes.

The formation of the flexiblecord or string in the applicator so that itwill assume its proper position prior to the insertion of the body ofthe catamenial device, is not quite so readily accomplished withoutresort to novel expcdients for arranging of this operation. It has beenfound that the withdrawing cord or flexible string member should firstbe inserted in the applicator for taining and form-retaining tampons orplugs into applicators in a continuity of production operations.

Another object is to provide improved means for enabling the assemb y ofinternal self-sustaining tampons, plugs or catamenial devices providedwith string withdrawing members so that they may be readily inserted asa component element of applicators used in the insertion thereof.

Still another object is to provide a simple, inexpensive and improvedcatamenial device and applicator assembling means so that one can beincorporated into the other without entailing any appreciable time,labor, or expense.

A further object is to provide an improved method of incorporating acatamenial device,- in an applicator so that the withdrawing string ofthe former will be drawn into the latter through the presence of aircurrents to facilitate the'step oi packing the applicator with thecatamenial device.

A still further object is to provide improved means for causing aircurrents to pass through applicator tubes preparatory to the packingthereof with catamenial devices of the internal type.

Still a further object is to subject tubular ap-' plicators to theinfluence of an air injector so that the withdrawing string ofcatamenial devices of the internal type will be readily incorporatedtherewith preparatory to packing the catamenial devices therein.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following descriptionof an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a. sectional view in elevation of an assembled applicatorand catamenial device or the for the structure being shown in section toclarify the showing.

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the device shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view in elevation taken substantially along lineIV-IV of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a side view in elevation of an air injector nozzle valveelement shown in assembled position in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a side view in elevation of an air injector valve body whichthreadedly receives the nozzle shown in Figure 5.

Figure '7 is a perspective view of-a table serving as a. mount for aplurality of air injectors disposed adjacent a conveyor belt to renderparts of the catamenial devices available to the opening that is in theinjector in the assembly operation.

The apparatus selected for illustration exemplifies a method ofassembling tampons, plugs or catamenial devices within applicators inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention. The teachings ofthe present invention are preferably though not essentially utilized inpacking an applicator I comprising, in this instance, a cylindricalinterior tube II prepared from cardboard or other suitable material torender such self-sustaining and form-retaining. This cardboard tube IIis telescopically received within an outer cylindrical tube I2constructed from the same material to provide a diameter that issomewhat larger than the external diameter of the interior tube I I topermit free relative telescopic displacement therebetween,

Initially, the interior tube II is fractionally displaced within theouter tube I2 to provide space above the interior tube II for thereception of a compressed tampon, plug or catamenial device I3 which, inthe illustrated embodiment, is self-sustaining and form-retainingindependent of the interior and outer tubes III2, respectively. Asshown, the plug or tampon such as the catamenial device I3 is providedwith a flexible withdrawing cord or string I4 that is suitably connectedto the catamenial device I3 by sewing or any other expedient ascommercial practice may dictate. The flexible withdrawing string I4extends through the interior of the inner tube I I so that itsextremityI5 projects externally therefrom prior to insertion of, the catamenialdevice I3 by resort to the applicator III2.

To efliciently accomplish the assembly of the catamenial device I3within the applicator I II2 so that the withdrawing string I4 projectsthrough the free extremity of the inner tube II, a plurality ofapplicator supporting nozzles I6 are mounted at uniform spaced intervalsin a table II in one or more elongated series, in this instance two,proximate to the side edges I8 and IQ of th table II. The spacing of thetube supporting nozzles I6 in a straight series along the table I! isdetermined by the space required for attendants to be stationed adjacenteach nozzle I6 for resort thereto in expediting the assembly of cordattached tampons such as catamenial devices I3 within applicators III2,

In the present embodiment, the table II is provided with an endlessconveyor belt 26 that exfor linear displacement circumferentiallybetween and along the straight series of tube supporting nozzles I6provided in both sides 2| and 22 of the table II. The endless belt 20 isdriven by any suitable power source such as an electric motor (notshown) to bring a constant supply of selfsustaining and form-retainingcatamenial devices I3 within the reach of each attendant assigned to atube supporting nozzle I6. To this end, the table II is supported at thedesired elevation from the floor by means of corner standards 23 so thatthe tube supporting nozzles I6 will be conveniently accessible to theattendant to perform the continuity of operations that result in thefinal product (Figure 1).

The tube supporting nozzles I6 comprise, in this instance, a cylindricalelongated body 24 provided with a hollow inner bore 25 extendingtherethrough from end to end. The upper end of the nozzle 16 isexternally tapered as at 26 so that the open ridges 21 are somewhatsmaller than the internal diameter of the inner applicator tube II whichis disposed thereover In conjunction with the outer applicator tube I2in telescopic association therewith. The tapered exterior 26 of theextreme upper region of the nozzle I6 terminates downwardly in aperipheral shoulder 28 that rests against the top surface of the tableII so that the cylindrical body 24 of somewhat lesser external diameterwill project through correspon in ly sized vertical bores 26 provided inthe sides 2I22 of the table I! to receive tube supporting nozzles I6therethrough (Figure 4) As shown, the lower portion of the nozzle body24 is externally threaded as at 30 to project below the table top I! forfixed engagement therewith by means of a suitable fastener nut 3I inthreaded engagement with the correspondingly threaded lower nozzle topexterior 30. A suitably dished washer 32 is interposed between thebottom surface of the table top I1 and the fastener nut 3| to tightlymount the nozzle I6 in the table I! by drawing the nozzle body 24downwardly through the bore 29 in the table II against the peripheralshoulder 28 in the nozzle I6. The straight series of linearly spacednozzles I6 are so mounted in the table top I! along both sides 2I and 22thereof to provide sources of air movement to pull the string I4 throughthe applicator tends along a longitudinal median line thereof II-I2 whenplaced over the nozzle I6 as will appear more fully hereinafter.

To provide the downward movement of air within the interior 25 of thetube supporting nozzle I6, air injectors 33 are operatively connected tothe lower threaded extremity 30 of the tube supporting nozzle I6. Tothis end, the air injector bodies 33 are each provided with an internalbore 34 sized and threaded to serve as a complement of the lowerthreaded extremity II of the tube supportingnozzle I6 for engagementtherewith. The internally threaded bore 34 of the air injector 33communicates with a somewhat smaller internal bore 35 provided entirelytherethrough to present a lower open end 36 through which air isdischarged for escape.

Immediately below the bore 34 and in communication with thecommunicating bore 35 there is provided a. transverse bore 31 that isthreaded to receive a correspondingly externally threaded air injector38. The externally threaded air injector 38 terminates in a reducedaxial tubular projection 39 provided with an air bleeder hole 40 in thewall thereof to communicate with an interior bore H of the injector 3|.The injector 38 threadedly engages correspondingly threaded transversebore 31 so that the injector 38 may be engaged therein so that thereduced extension 39 thereof is disposed within the bore 35 of the airinjector body 33.

The injector 38 is threaded therein so that the air vapor opening 40projects downwardly and axially within the bore 35 of the air injectorbody 33 and in this position it is held against movement by means of alock nut 32 which engages the fiat recessed portion 43 over thetransverse port 3i! (Figures 4 and 6). Compressed air under pressurewithin the range of twenty to thirty pounds is piped through the bleederopening 36 of the injector 38 by means of pipe lines M having suitablecoupler nuts provided in the extremities, thereof to engagecorrespondingly sized and threaded nipples 4% that are threadedlyconnected to the exterior-1y threaded bleeder iniectors til.

As a result, the entire group of tube support= ing nozzles l6 mounted onthe table ll may be supplied with compressed air from a common sourcefor injection through the lower bore 35 of the valve body 33 to cause adown draft of air through the inner passage 25 of the nozzle it. Thiseffectively creates a current of air moving downwardly through the bores25 of the tube mounting nozzle l6 so that the string withdrawing membersll of the catamenial devices l3 will be inclined to be pulledtherethrough when placed over or within eflective drawing range of thenozzles i8.

This is eflected in a continuity of operations by depositing on theconveyor belt large quantitles of catamenial devices l3 with theirwithdrawing strings it connected therewith. These are deposited from theapparatus that is used to convert strip cotton into preformedself-sustanning catamenial plugs so that they may be available to theattendant stationed adjacent each of the tube supporting nozzles it.Each of these attendants are provided with a supply of applicatorsii-ii? already in their proper telescopic association so that the lowerend of the inner tube H can be readily displaced over the externallytapered ridges 21 of the nozzles l6 and simultaneously therewith thesame attendant places the catamenial devices H with their withdrawingstring ii in the vicinity of the upper end of the outer tube I2 so thatthe string M will be pulled therein and through the applicator tubesl2--ii and into the interior bore 25 of the tube supporting nozzle iii.

The down draft of air in the inner bore 25 of the nozzle i6 causes asimilar movement of air through the interiors of the applicator tubesE-ii, and the string i4 is withdrawn therethrough for downwarddisplacement therein. This is followed by either manually orpneumatically forcing the catamenial plug [3 into the interior of theouter tube I! so that it engages'th e upper edge of the inner tube I lto serve as a stop therefor. It is preferable that the tampon or plug bemanually or mechanically forced into the applicator in that pneumaticdisplacement of the plug would require an appreciable suction action notordinarily considered a practicable substitute for manual or mechanicaldisplacement. In this position, the catamenial plug i3 is disposedentirely within the outer'appl'icator tube l2 except for the enlargedrounded head 41 which serves as a shield to protect the organs againstabrasions from the edge of the outer applicator tube 12.

The catamenial plug 13 is sized to correspond in length with the spacesbetween the outer applicator tube [2 and above the inner applicator tubeH. Upon efiecting the packing of the telescopically associatedapplicator tubes with the eatamenial devices it as described supra, theassembled unit U til-i3 with the string I6 extends through the interiorthereof. In this pofition the extremity it of the withdrawing stringprojects beyond the free eatremity of the applicator tube H, and theelements iii-411 433 are in their final assembled relation preparatoryto individual Wrapping and packaging.

It will be observed that a very simple, inexpensive, and effectivemethod and apparatus of packing applicators for catamenia-l devices ofthe internal type has been provided and that this can be accomplished ina continuity of operations conforming to the production of theindividual elements for conversion into a complete catamenial unit ofthe internal type together with the insertion applicator therefor. Whilethe teachings illustrated and described herein have been confined tocatamenial devices, it should be noted that such may be equally appliedto devices of analogous types intended for other purposes. The termcatamenial devices should be construed to refer to any structureconforming to the general types of elements rather than any specificuses attributable thereto in this preferred illustration.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention hereinspecifically described without departing from the invention orsacrificing any of the advantages or features thereof, and nothingherein shall be construed as limitations of the invention, its conceptor structural embodiment as to the whole or any part thereof except asdefined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A method of assembling a tampon with an attached string in a tubularelongated applicator which consists in creating a suction effect in theapplicator, then subjecting the tampon string to the suction effectwithin the applicator to cause the string to be displaced through theinterior of said applicator from one, extremity thereof without initialaccess from the other extremity, and

then forcing'the tampon by exerting a pressure influence thereon intosaid applicator in the direction of string displacement to complete theprojection of the string from the other extremity of said applicator.

- 2. A method of assembling a self-sustaining tampon with an attachedflexible string in a tubular elongated applicator which consists incausing the string to be displaced through the interior of saidapplicator from one extremity thereof by passing air currentstherethrcugh, and then pushing the tampon into said applicator in thedirection of string displacement to complete the projection of thestring from the other extremity of said applicator with the tamponsubstantially within the applicator.

3. A method of incorporating a self-sustaining member with an attachedflexible cord into another self-sustaining member which consists incausing an air current to pass through the latter member, and thenplacing the former member adjacent said latter member to effect thedisplacement of said cord therein under the influence of the currentpassing therethrough, and then forcing the. former self-sustainingmember into the latter member in the direction of cord displacementuntil one member is completely within the other member with said cordextending therethrough.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with anelongated hollow tube defining a passageway open at both ends, means forrigidly supporting said tube, means for causing an air current to passthrough said tube in one direction, and a free extremity on saidelongated tube to tightly receive a tubular applicator thereon to serveas an air passage extension thereof with the air current passingunidirectionally therethrour'h for incorporation of a string connectedtampon therein.

5. In a device f the character described, the combination with anelongated hollow tube defining a passageway open at both ends, airinjector means connected to said tube for communication with theinterior thereof for causing an air current to pass through said tube inone direction, and a tapered free extremity on said elongated tube totightly receive a tubular applicator thereon to serve as an air passageextension thereof for incorporation of a string connected tampontherein.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination with anelongated hollow tube defining a passageway open at both ends, air in-Jector means adjustably connected to said tube for communication withthe interior thereof for causing an air current to pass through saidtube in one direction, and a tapered vertically upward projectingextremity on said elongated tube to tightly receive a tubular applicatorthereon to serve as an air passage extension thereof for incorporationof a string connected tampon therein.

'7. In a device of the character described, the combination with anelongated hollow tube defining a passageway open at both ends, means for.rigidly supporting said tube, air injector means adjustably connectedto the lower portion of said tube for communication with the interiorthereof for causing an air current to pass through said tube in onedirection, and a free extremity on the upper portion of said elongatedtube to tightly receive a tubular applicator thereon to serve as an airpassage extension thereof for incorporation of a string connected tampontherein.

8. A method of assembling string attached tam- 1 predetermined path,then subjecting the string portion of the tampon to the air currentspassing through said elongated tubes to displace the strings thereofthrough said tubes, then displacing the tampons into said tubes in thedirection of string displacement, and then continuing the displacementof said assembled tampon, string and applicator along said predeterminedpath of movement for discharge purposes.

9. A method of assembling string attached tampon and applicator unitswhich consists in conveying a plurality of string attached self-sustaining tampons along a predetermined path, then passing aircurrents unidirectionally through tubular elongated tubes, then bringingstring attached tampons and tubes with effective drawing range of theair currents passing through said tubes to displace the stringstherethrough, then displacing the tampons into the tubes in thedirection of string displacement to fully occupy the interior thereof,and then discharging the assembled tampons, strings and tubes from saidpath for removal therefrom.

10. A method of assembling string attached tampon and applicator unitswhich consists in conveying a plurality of string attach'ed tamponsalong a predetermined path, then subjecting tubular elongated tubes toair current at a plurality of stations for eifecting the passage of airunidirectionally thercthrough, then bringing string attached tampons tosaid stations within effective range of the air current passing throughsaid tubes to effect string displacement therethrough, then forcing thebody of the connected tampons into said tubes under mechanical pressureto fully occupy theinterior thereof with the attached string projectingtherefrom, and then conveying the assembled tampons, attached stringsand applicators from said stations and along said predetermined path fordischarge purposes.

11. A method of assembling string attached tampon and applicator unitswhich consists in conveying a plurality of string attachedself-sustaining tampons along a predetermined path, then providing tubesat a plurality of stations, then bringing said string attached tamponsand tubes within close range of each other at said stations, thenpulling the tampon strings through said tubes, then pushing the tamponbodies into said tubes in the direction of string displacement, and thentransferring the assembled tampon, string and applicator tube from eachstation to the predetermined path for displacement from said stations toa point of discharge.

JOHN R. McLAUGHLIN.

